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City outlines changes in proposed budget for 2013-14

Published: Sunday, May 12, 2013 at 8:53 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, May 12, 2013 at 8:53 p.m.

Wilmington residents may be spared a city property tax increase next year, but the upcoming budget will bring other changes.

On May 7, City Manager Sterling Cheatham's recommended 2013-14 budget was unveiled. Budget writers wanted to hold the line on operating expenses. However, the city is projecting modest revenue growth, so the proposed general fund budget of $87.9 million is about 2 percent larger than the current budget of $86.3 million.

Here are some of the highlights:

Will residents see any tax or fee increases?

The recommended budget proposes keeping the city's property tax rate at 45 cents per $100 of assessed tax value, with 5 cents continuing to be allocated to support the five-year capital improvement plan. Last year, the city's tax rate increased by 8 cents, although 5 cents of that was to break even due to declining property values, so not everyone saw their tax bills increase.

This year's budget proposes upping the golf fee by $1 per nine holes and increasing the stormwater fee by 6 percent, which equates to 34 cents per month for average homeowners, according to city estimates.

What are some new projects or positions the budget would fund?

It would allocate nearly $400,000 to improve city parking decks and the parking lot next to the Community Arts Center. Last year, 19-year-old Joshua Proutey was shot and killed at the arts center lot during a late-night robbery. Cheatham has said the plan to pave the parking lot is not in response to the murder, but the tragedy called attention to the project earlier than the city would have gotten to it.

The budget also includes the first full year of funding for a special police team, dubbed the Mobile Field Force. The team is designed to allay fears and reduce crime across the city.

More than $3.3 million would fund stormwater projects and $130,000 would launch a rehabilitation effort at the city's municipal golf course off Pine Grove Drive.

The budget would fund 13 police officers initially funded using a federal grant that is expiring after three years. The grant included a requirement that the city would have to fund those positions when it expires.

The Wilmington Fire Department will buy a ladder fire truck and the city will replace 61 vehicles.

The budget also adds $25,000 in new funding for the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County.

Will city workers get raises?

Yes. The budget includes a 2-percent pay raise for all employees and a separate 1.5-percent merit raise for eligible employees. It also adds 1 percent to the city's contribution to employee retirement, which would restore the city's contribution back to 4.5 percent. That's what it was before it was reduced during the recent economic downturn.

In the past, city workers have had to go without raises and officials have said city workers are underpaid.

Can I comment on the budget?

The council will hold a public hearing on the annual budget at its May 21 meeting. They are scheduled to adopt the budget on June 18. The new fiscal year starts July 1.

<p>Wilmington residents may be spared a city property tax increase next year, but the upcoming budget will bring other changes.</p><p>On May 7, City Manager <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9940"><b>Sterling Cheatham</b></a>'s recommended 2013-14 budget was unveiled. Budget writers wanted to hold the line on operating expenses. However, the city is projecting modest revenue growth, so the proposed general fund budget of $87.9 million is about 2 percent larger than the current budget of $86.3 million.</p><p>Here are some of the highlights:</p><h3>Will residents see any tax or fee increases?</h3>
<p>The recommended budget proposes keeping the city's property tax rate at 45 cents per $100 of assessed tax value, with 5 cents continuing to be allocated to support the five-year capital improvement plan. Last year, the city's tax rate increased by 8 cents, although 5 cents of that was to break even due to declining property values, so not everyone saw their tax bills increase.</p><p>This year's budget proposes upping the golf fee by $1 per nine holes and increasing the stormwater fee by 6 percent, which equates to 34 cents per month for average homeowners, according to city estimates.</p><h3>What are some new projects or positions the budget would fund?</h3>
<p>It would allocate nearly $400,000 to improve city parking decks and the parking lot next to the Community Arts Center. Last year, 19-year-old Joshua Proutey was shot and killed at the arts center lot during a late-night robbery. Cheatham has said the plan to pave the parking lot is not in response to the murder, but the tragedy called attention to the project earlier than the city would have gotten to it.</p><p>The budget also includes the first full year of funding for a special police team, dubbed the Mobile Field Force. The team is designed to allay fears and reduce crime across the city.</p><p>More than $3.3 million would fund stormwater projects and $130,000 would launch a rehabilitation effort at the city's municipal golf course off Pine Grove Drive.</p><p>The budget would fund 13 police officers initially funded using a federal grant that is expiring after three years. The grant included a requirement that the city would have to fund those positions when it expires.</p><p>The Wilmington Fire Department will buy a ladder fire truck and the city will replace 61 vehicles. </p><p>The budget also adds $25,000 in new funding for the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County.</p><h3>Will city workers get raises?</h3>
<p>Yes. The budget includes a 2-percent pay raise for all employees and a separate 1.5-percent merit raise for eligible employees. It also adds 1 percent to the city's contribution to employee retirement, which would restore the city's contribution back to 4.5 percent. That's what it was before it was reduced during the recent economic downturn.</p><p>In the past, city workers have had to go without raises and officials have said city workers are underpaid.</p><h3>Can I comment on the budget?</h3>
<p>The council will hold a public hearing on the annual budget at its May 21 meeting. They are scheduled to adopt the budget on June 18. The new fiscal year starts July 1.</p><h3>How can I see the recommended budget?</h3>
<p>By visiting the city's website here: www.wilmingtonnc.gov/finance/budget/recommended_budget</p><p>Julian March: 343-2099</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @julian_march</p>